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Greenbrier and Evans high school girls basketball teams have surged to the top of the region standing with 3-1 marks in region play. The two squads have split their two meetings this season, which makes their contest Friday, Feb. 1, huge in terms of a possible region title.

This past Thursday, I was honored to serve as master of ceremonies for The Augusta Chronicle All-Area Football Awards banquet. What a special night. In addition to honoring high school players from all over the Augusta area, three new members were inducted into the American Football Kicking Hall of Fame, and Louisiana Tech punter Ryan Allen was presented the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top collegiate punter.

Former Evans High School standout Buddy Holder is the new head football coach at Effingham County.

Yes, that Effingham County.

Back in 1987, Holder, the oldest son of legendary Columbia County coach Terry Holder, was a starting lineman for the Knights’ unbeaten team, which played at Effingham County in the state quarterfinals. Evans won 12-10, but was forced to forfeit after a protest from Effingham.

The other day I saw a post on Facebook by former Greenbrier High School football standout Ryan Bowers. Bowers, who owns AthElite Sports Training Academy, said he was working out Bryan Andrews in preparation for a combine.

Columbia County had another tremendous year in high school softball. Harlem and Greenbrier thrilled their fans with deep post-season runs that saw both finish in the Top 5 in the state in their respective classifications.

Harlem’s freshman sensation Amber Garrett was dominant on the mound during the Bulldogs’ terrific playoff showing, while Greenbrier’s Taylor Dupree emerged as one of the finest players in the Southeast. In addition, there were several other talented performers who shined in 2012.

The Evans High School basketball team started the season 2-0 before dropping three of its next six games. Since then, coach Kevin Kenny has the Knights back on track and riding a six-game winning streak heading into region play.

The final victory in that run was a very convincing 62-44 win over a pesky bunch from Grovetown High School in the championship game of the Monterrey Christmas Tournament. Damian Foreman paced the Knights with 23 points. With the victory, Evans improves to 11-3 on the season.

Nicole and Ebony Wells left their mark on Columbia County during their very successful prep basketball careers. Nicole was a standout for Harlem High School, earning All-Region and All-County honors in 2008-09. That season she helped guide the Lady Bulldogs to one of the finest seasons in school history. Harlem finished 24-4 and advanced to the state’s Sweet Sixteen, losing 58-57 in overtime to Bainbridge. Wells averaged 14 points and eight rebounds per game.

It started with an incredible run in the spring. Columbia County teams gave fans plenty to cheer about in soccer, tennis, baseball and golf, with several teams making deep playoff runs and some going the distance to win state titles. This summer, Lakeside High School product Reese Hoffa carried the torch (pardon the pun) for the county at the London Olympic Games. Then, this fall, Harlem and Greenbrier had tremendous seasons in softball, with each making it to the Elite 8.